Using a processing device as a dock for a media player

ABSTRACT

By integrating multiple electronic devices, it is possible to increase the functionality of the devices individually. For example it is possible to improve media playback functionality, create media playlists “on-the-go” and to use a first device power supply to charge the power supply of the second device. By integrating the devices, it is possible to address some of the shortcomings of devices that are decreasing in size with increasing power requirements, while still maintaining the advantages that these devices offer.

BACKGROUND

Today, many popular electronic devices, such as hand-held media playersor portable electronic devices (“PEDs”), are battery powered and includevarious user interface components. Conventionally, such electronicdevices include buttons, dials, or touchpads to control the mediadevices and to allow users to navigate through media assets, including,for example, music, speech, or other audio, movies, photographs,interactive art, text, and media resident on (or accessible through) themedia devices, to select media assets to be played or displayed, and/orto set user preferences for use by the media devices. The functionalitysupported by such electronic devices is increasing even as these mediadevices continue to get smaller and more portable. Consequently, as suchdevices get smaller while supporting robust functionality, there areincreasing difficulties in providing adequate user interfaces for theportable electronic devices.

Further, as users continue to rely more heavily on these devices forrunning media applications, battery life and reliability becomeincreasingly important. As devices become smaller and more portable,however, battery size and capacity often also decreases, sometimesleaving users unable to use their media devices as often as they wouldlike to.

Additionally, different portable electronic devices may includedifferent interfaces and functional capabilities, and smaller devices donot always include the full functionality that their larger counterpartsmay offer. For example, while a smaller device may be more portable andlightweight than its larger counterpart, it may not have circuitryavailable capable of adjusting media playlists or creating new mediaplaylists “on-the go”, while a larger and more complex device might havethese and other capabilities not associated with the smaller device.

Systems and methods in accordance with the disclosed subject matterintegrate multiple electronic devices to increase the functionality ofthese devices individually and to address the previously mentionedissues. The disclosed subject matter includes systems and methods thattake advantage of the capabilities of individual electronic devices andamong other things, address the battery life, interface andinteractivity issues discussed above.

SUMMARY

An electronic device can be coupled to another electronic device. Thefirst electronic device can act a processor device, and the secondelectronic device can act as a media player device. After the devicesare coupled, the user interface of the processor device can be used tocontrol media playback on the media player device. Additionally, thepower supply of the processor device can be used to charge the powersupply of the media player device, even while the power supply of themedia player device is being used to control media playback usingcircuitry on the media player device. The processor device can also beused to create and edit media playlists which can then be stored on themedia player device.

To control media playback, the processor device can receive metadataassociated with media stored on the media player device and identifyinformation related to this media. The processor device can then open auser interface that a user can interact with, using it to controlvarious aspects of media playback, such as playback volume and playbackorder.

In some embodiments, the processor device can be used to create orgenerate media playlists for the media player device. For example, afterreading metadata received from the media player device, the processingdevice can display a list of media stored on the second device, and auser can use a media player user interface to select specific media tobe played. The list can also be sent back to the media player and savedthere for future use. A user is not limited to generating a singleplaylist, but can chose to generate multiple playlists of variouslengths, if he so chooses, which can all be stored on the media playerdevice.

In some embodiments, the power supply of the processor device can beused to charge the power supply of the media player device, even whilethe power supply of the media player device is being used to controlmedia playback using circuitry on the media player device itself. If theuser wishes, in certain embodiments, the media player device can beunplugged from the processor device and continue operating, effectivelytreating the processor device similar to a portable power supplycharger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the presently disclosed subject matter,its nature and various advantages will be more apparent uponconsideration of the following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device that canbe used as part of a system for controlling electronic media inaccordance with one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic system forcontrolling electronic media in accordance with one embodiment of thedisclosed subject matter;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an illustrative user interface forcontrolling electronic media in accordance with one embodiment of thedisclosed subject matter;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for coupling a firstelectronic device to a second electronic device and using the firstelectronic device to control playback circuitry on the second electronicdevice; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for coupling a firstelectronic device to a second electronic device and using the firstelectronic device to control media playback on the second electronicdevice in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosed subjectmatter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with the present disclosure, an electronic device can beoperative to generate or receive data. The data can include, forexample, text, numbers, spreadsheets, presentations, images, audio,video, or combinations of these. For example, the data can include mediastored or accessed by the device. Media can include, for example:images, photographs, video, voice or audio recordings, text (e.g.,blogging or micro-blogging streams), location streams, or combinationsof these.

Moreover, an electronic device in accordance with various describedembodiments can capture, purchase, and access media. It may do so via aphysical or wireless connection to a network or to another electronicdevice.

Use of this media can be dependent on the circuitry available on themedia player and its capabilities. A smaller media player smaller mayhave a smaller power supply and smaller display. A larger electronicdevice may have a larger display and a larger power supply. Inaccordance with the present disclosure, a first electronic device can beused to control a second electronic device or to add functionality thatthe second device might not have without access to resources from thefirst device.

An electronic device used as part of the disclosed systems and methodscan perform some or all of the features described above and can includeany suitable combination of hardware, firmware and software forperforming media transactions. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of anillustrative electronic device that can be used as part of a system forcontrolling electronic media in accordance with one embodiment of thedisclosed subject matter. Electronic device 110 can include any suitabletype of electronic device operative to process media items. For example,electronic device 110 can include a media player such as an iPod®available by Apple Inc., of Cupertino, Calif., a cellular telephone, apersonal e-mail or messaging device (e.g., a Blackberry® or aSidekick®), an iPhone® available from Apple Inc., pocket-sized personalcomputers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a music recorder, a video recorder, a camera, radios,medical equipment, and any other device capable of playing back mediaitems.

Electronic device 110 may include processor 112, storage 114, memory116, input/output interface 118, communications circuitry 120 and powersupply 122. In some embodiments, one or more components of electronicdevice 110 may be combined or omitted (e.g., combine storage 114 andmemory 116). In some embodiments, electronic device 110 may includeother components not combined or included in those shown in FIG. 1(e.g., location circuitry, sensing circuitry detecting the deviceenvironment or a bus), or several instances of the components shown inFIG. 1. For the sake of simplicity, only one of each of the componentsis shown in FIG. 1.

Processor 112 may include any processing circuitry or control circuitryoperative to control the operations and performance of electronic device110. For example, processor 112 may be used to run operating systemapplications, firmware applications, media playback applications, mediaediting applications, or any other application. In some embodiments, aprocessor may drive a display and process inputs received from a userinterface.

Storage 114 may include, for example, one or more storage mediumsincluding a hard-drive, solid state drive, flash memory, permanentmemory such as ROM, any other suitable type of storage component, or anycombination thereof. Storage 114 may store, for example, media data(e.g., music and video files), application data (e.g., for implementingfunctions on device 110), firmware, user preference information (e.g.,media playback preferences), authentication information (e.g. librariesof data associated with authorized users), lifestyle information (e.g.,food preferences), exercise information (e.g., information obtained byexercise monitoring equipment), transaction information (e.g.,information such as credit card information), wireless connectioninformation (e.g., information that may enable electronic device 110 toestablish a wireless connection), subscription information (e.g.,information that keeps track of podcasts or television shows or othermedia a user subscribes to), contact information (e.g., telephonenumbers and email addresses), calendar information, and any othersuitable data or any combination thereof.

Memory 116 can include cache memory, semi-permanent memory such as RAM,and/or one or more different types of memory used for temporarilystoring data. In some embodiments, memory 116 can also be used forstoring data used to operate electronic device applications, or anyother type of data that may be stored in storage 114. In someembodiments, memory 116 and storage 114 may be combined as a singlestorage medium.

Input/output interface 118 may provide inputs to input/output circuitryof the electronic device. Input/output interface 118 may include anysuitable input interface, such as for example, a button, keypad, dial, aclick wheel, or a touch screen. In some embodiments, electronic device110 may include a capacitive sensing mechanism, or a multi-touchcapacitive sensing mechanism. In some embodiments, input interface caninclude a microphone or other audio input interface for receiving auser's voice inputs. The input interface can include an analog todigital converter for converting received analog signals correspondingto a voice input to a digital signal that can be processed and analyzedto identify specific words or instructions.

In some embodiments, input/output interface 118 can instead or inaddition include one or more interfaces for providing an audio output,visual output, or other type of output (e.g., odor, taste or hapticoutput). For example, input/output interface 118 can include one or morespeakers (e.g., mono or stereo speakers) built into electronic device110, or an audio connector (e.g., an audio jack or an appropriateBluetooth connection) operative to be coupled to an audio outputmechanism. Input/output interface 118 may be operative to provide audiodata using a wired or wireless connection to a headset, headphones orearbuds. As another example, input/output interface 118 can includedisplay circuitry (e.g., a screen or projection system) for providing adisplay visible to the user. The display can include a screen (e.g., anLCD screen) that is incorporated in electronic device 110, a movabledisplay or a projecting system for providing a display of content on asurface remote from electronic device 110 (e.g., a video projector), orany other suitable display. Input/output interface 118 can interfacewith the input/output circuitry (not shown) to provide outputs to a userof the device.

Communications circuitry 120 can be operative to create or connect to acommunications network. Communications circuitry 120 can be capable ofproviding wireless communications using any suitable short-range orlong-range communications protocol. For example, communicationscircuitry 120 can support Wi-Fi (e.g., a 802.11 protocol), Bluetooth(registered trademark), radio frequency systems (e.g., 1200 MHz, 2.4GHz, and 5.6 GHz communication systems), infrared, protocols used bywireless and cellular phones and personal email devices, or any otherprotocol supporting wireless communications. Communications circuitry120 may instead or in addition be capable of providing wiredcommunications, for example using any suitable port on one or both ofthe devices (e.g., 30-pin, USB, FireWire, Serial, or Ethernet).

Power supply 122 can include any suitable circuitry for receiving and/orgenerating power, and for providing such power to one or more componentsof electronic device 110. In some embodiments, power supply 122 can becoupled to a power grid (e.g., when device 110 is not acting as aportable device or when a power supply of the device is being charged atan electrical outlet with power generated by an electrical power plant).As another example, power supply 122 can be configured to generate powerfrom a natural source (e.g., solar power using solar cells). In someembodiments, power supply 122 can include one or more batteries forproviding power (e.g., when device 110 is acting as a portable device).For example, power supply 122 can include one or more of a battery(e.g., a gel, nickel metal hydride, nickel cadmium, nickel hydrogen,lead acid, or lithium-ion battery), an uninterruptible or continuouspower supply (“UPS” or “CPS”), and circuitry for processing powerreceived from a power generation source (e.g., power generated by anelectrical power plant and delivered to the user via an electricalsocket or otherwise).

The power can be provided by power supply 122 as alternating current ordirect current, and may be processed to transform power or limitreceived power to particular characteristics. For example, the power canbe transformed to or from direct current, and constrained to one or morevalues of average power, effective power, peak power, energy per pulse,voltage, current (e.g., measured in amperes), or any othercharacteristic of received power. Power supply 122 can be operative torequest or provide particular amounts of power at different times, forexample, based on the needs or requirements of electronic device 110 orperiphery devices that may be coupled to electronic device 110 (e.g., torequest more power when charging a battery than when the battery isalready charged).

In some embodiments, electronic device 110 may include a bus operativeto provide a data transfer path for transferring data to, from, orbetween control processor 112, storage 114, memory 116, input/outputinterface 118, communications circuitry 120, and any other componentincluded in the electronic device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic system forcontrolling electronic media in accordance with one embodiment of thedisclosed subject matter. System 200 may contain elements 210, 230 and250. Element 210 is an electronic device that can act as an electronicprocessor device. Element 210 may be substantially similar to element110 of FIG. 1 and the previous description of the element 110 can beapplied to element 210. Element 210 may include processor 212, storage214, memory 216, input/output interface 218, communications circuitry220 and power supply 222. Element 230 is a second electronic device.Element 230 can act as a media player device and may be substantiallysimilar to element 110 of FIG. 1, and the previous description ofelement 110 can be applied to element 230. In certain embodiments inaccordance with the disclosed subject matter, element 230 may includeprocessor 232, storage 234, memory 236, communications circuitry 240 andpower supply 242. Input/output interface 238 may be optional in certainembodiments in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. Element 250is a coupling device that can be used to couple elements 210 and 230.Coupling device 250 can take a number of forms (e.g., a USB cable, aFireWire cable, or via audio input/output jacks) and may be connected tocommunications circuitry 220 and 240. In certain embodiments, thedevices can be connected wirelessly. The two electronic devices 210 and230 can use coupling device 250 to send information such as metadata,control commands, playlist information, and other relevant communicationdata.

In one embodiment, in which element 210 can, for example, correspond toan electronic processor device and element 230 can, for example,correspond to a media player device, element 210 can use coupling device250 to transfer energy from its power supply to the media playerdevice's supply, thereby charging the media player device power supplyeven while the media player device is in use. In certain embodiments inaccordance with the disclosed subject matter, the media player devicecan continue media playback even after the electronic processor deviceis decoupled. This may be useful, for example, if a user's media playerdevice power supply is running low on energy, and the user does not havea wall charger or other outlet-based charge source readily available tocharge the media player. In these situations, the electronic processordevice can act similar to a portable power supply, in addition to itsother processing capabilities.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an illustrative user interface forcontrolling electronic media in accordance with one embodiment of thedisclosed subject matter. User interface 300 may be displayed on thedisplay of an electronic processor device similar to element 210 of FIG.2. User interface 300 can include, among other things, a media timedisplay 310, a rewind button 320, a play/pause button 330, a forwardbutton 340 a status display banner 350 and a graphical display 360.

Several different interface options may be available in accordance withthe disclosed subject matter. For example, in certain embodiments, thedisplay can show an interface based on an application or applicationsnative to (e.g., stored in memory of) the electronic processor device.In other embodiments, the processor device display can show an interfacebased on an application or applications native to (e.g., stored inmemory of) an electronic media player similar to element 230 of FIG. 2.The electronic media player can send application data related to anative application stored on its memory, and the processor device canuse this data to generate a user interface. Display data for the mediaplayer may be sent from the media player device to the processor device.The processor device may contain hardware and software configured toimport the media player's native user interface and show the interfaceon its own device display. In other embodiments, the processor devicemay show an interface that is not native to either the processor deviceor the media player. As shown in status display banner 350, in theseembodiments, the display may include an indicator letting a user knowthat the processing device is being used to control the media player. Incertain embodiments, after the processor device and the media playerdevice are coupled, the processor device may display a menu presentinginterface options for the user to choose from. The user may choose fromdisplays native to the processor device or media player, a preloadednon-native interface or in some embodiments, may generate a new customuser interface.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for coupling a firstelectronic device to a second electronic device and using the firstelectronic device to control playback circuitry on the second electronicdevice in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosed subjectmatter. In block 410, a first electronic device and a second electronicdevice are coupled. The first electronic device may be similar toelectronic processor device 210 of FIG. 2. The second electronic devicemay be similar to media player device 230 of FIG. 2. The devices may becoupled using a connector similar to coupling device 250 in FIG. 2.Various types of coupling devices can be used to couple the two devices.For example, coupling can be performed using a USB cable, a firewirecable, or via audio input/output jacks. In certain embodiments, thedevices may be coupled wirelessly. In block 420, after the two devicesare coupled, the interface of the first electronic device can be used tocontrol the playback circuitry of the second electronic device. In block430, the interface is powered using the power supply of the firstelectronic device. In block 440, the playback circuitry is powered usingpower supply of the second electronic device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for coupling a firstelectronic device to a second electronic device and using the firstelectronic device to control media playback on the second electronicdevice in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosed subjectmatter. In block 510, a first electronic device and a second electronicdevice are coupled. The first electronic device may be similar toelectronic processor device 210 of FIG. 2. The second electronic devicemay be similar to media player device 230 of FIG. 2. The devices may becoupled using a connector similar to coupling device 250 in FIG. 2.Various types of coupling devices can be used to couple the two devices.For example, coupling can be performed using a USB cable, a firewirecable, or via audio input/output jacks. In certain embodiments, thedevices may be coupled wirelessly. In block 520, after the two devicesare coupled, the electronic processor device power supply beginscharging the media player power supply via the coupling. Charging cancontinue even while the media player power supply is being used tosupply power to media play circuitry for media playback or otherapplications using the media player device. In block 530, the twodevices exchange data via their physical or wireless coupling. In anexemplary embodiment, the media player device sends metadata related tomedia files stored on the media player to the electronic processordevice. The metadata sent from the media player device to the electronicprocessor device can be associated with media content using any suitableapproach. For example, metadata can be stored as part of data thatincludes the content (e.g., metadata forms a header in a file). Asanother example, metadata can be stored in a separate location from thecontent. In particular, metadata can be stored in a metadata file (e.g.,one file for each instance of content), a database (e.g., metadatadatabase within an electronic device or within a particularapplication), remote location (e.g., a remote server), or any othersuitable location. If the metadata is stored separately from thecontent, the metadata can be associated with the content using anysuitable approach, including for example one or more references in themetadata and/or content, pointers, links, or other combinations ofthese.

In block 540, after receiving metadata, the electronic processor devicecan display a list of media stored on the media player device on its ownuser interface display. Depending on the embodiment and the receivedmetadata, the electronic processor device can display a list of all themedia stored on the media player device or can display only a certainsubset of the stored media. In block 550, a subset of the displayedmedia is selected for playback on the media player device. Among otherthings, the user interface can also be used to forward through media,rewind media, pause media playback and adjust playback volume, createnew media playlists or edit already existing media playlists.

The interface may also be used to shuffle media in a “random” order, seta single media item to repeat, or set a larger set of media to repeatafter cycling through at least once. After a user makes the appropriateselection, the electronic processor device sends command data to themedia player device, which then translates the command data and respondsaccordingly with its playback circuitry. Depending on user preferences,either the entire set or a smaller subset of the displayed media may beselected for playback on the media device. In certain embodiments inaccordance with the disclosed subject matter, the media player devicecan continue playback even after the electronic processor device isdecoupled.

Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can also be embodied ascomputer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computerreadable medium is any data storage device that can store data which canthereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computerreadable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs,DVDs, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. The computerreadable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computersystems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in adistributed fashion.

Although many of the embodiments of the presently disclosed subjectmatter are described herein with respect to personal computing devices,it should be understood that the presently disclosed subject matter isnot limited to personal computing applications, but is generallyapplicable to other applications.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by aperson with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, areexpressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of theclaims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one withordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of thedefined elements.

The above described embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods arepresented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. Further,it should be noted that the language used in the specification has beenprincipally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and maynot have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the disclosedsubject matter. Accordingly, the disclosure of the presently disclosedsubject matter is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of thescope of the claimed subject matter, which is set forth in the followingclaims.

1. A method for operating an electronic device, comprising: coupling afirst electronic device comprising a first power supply, a memory, andan interface to a second electronic device comprising a second powersupply and playback circuitry; controlling the playback circuitry of thesecond electronic device using the interface of the first electronicdevice; powering the interface using the first power supply; andpowering the playback circuitry using the second power supply.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising sending media metadata from thesecond electronic device to the first electronic device.
 3. The methodof claim 1 further comprising sending playback instructions from thefirst electronic device to the second electronic device.
 4. The methodof claim 3 further comprising using the playback instructions sent fromthe first electronic device to the second electronic device to accessmedia stored on a memory of the second electronic device.
 5. The methodof claim 1 further comprising editing a media playlist stored in amemory of the second electronic device using the interface of the firstelectronic device.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising creatinga new media playlist for media items stored on the second electronicdevice using the interface of the first electronic device.
 7. The methodof claim 1 further comprising charging the second power supply using thefirst power supply.
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprisingcontrolling the interface with an interface application native to thefirst device.
 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising: sendinginterface application data from the second device to the first device,wherein the application data is related to an interface applicationstored on the second device; and controlling the interface of the firstdevice with the interface application data.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the interface is user-customized.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein the coupling comprises coupling the first and second electronicdevices using a USB cable.
 12. An electronic media system comprising: afirst electronic device comprising first memory storage, a first powersupply, and playback circuitry configured to playback of media stored inthe first memory storage; a second electronic device comprising secondmemory storage, second output circuitry, a second power supply, a userinterface, and a processor configured to generate media playbackcommands; and coupling circuitry configured to couple the firstelectronic device and the second electronic device, wherein the mediaplayback commands are configured to control the playback circuitry ofthe first device via the coupling circuitry.
 13. The electronic mediasystem of claim 12, wherein the coupling circuitry is configured tocouple the first and second electronic devices via a USB connector. 14.The electronic media system of claim 12, wherein the coupling circuitryis configured to couple the first and second electronic devices via a30-pin connector.
 15. The electronic media system of claim 12, whereinthe connector circuitry is configured to couple the first and secondelectronic devices wirelessly.
 16. The electronic media system of claim12, wherein the user interface comprises a visual display, and whereinthe processor is configured to generate the media playback commands inresponse to user inputs received by the user interface.
 17. Theelectronic media system of claim 12, wherein the second power supply andthe coupling circuitry are configured to charge the first power supply.18. The electronic media system of claim 17, wherein the first powersupply is configured to simultaneously be charged while providing powerto the first processor.
 19. Computer readable media configured tocontrol media playback of an electronic device, the computer readablemedia comprising computer program logic recorded thereon configured to:instruct a first power supply of a first electronic device to charge asecond power supply of a second electronic device; identify metadataassociated with media data stored on the second electronic device;instruct the second electronic device to send the metadata to the firstelectronic device; instruct a processor of the first electronic deviceto present an interface on the first electronic device that isassociated with the metadata; and send instructions received by theinterface related to playback of the media data from the firstelectronic device to the second electronic device.
 20. The computerreadable media of claim 19, further comprising additional computerprogram logic recorded thereon configured to create a media playlistusing the interface for controlling the playback of the media data andsend the playlist from the first electronic device to the secondelectronic device.